The Pathway To Us (11 page)

“Everyone got back safely. Thank God. Anthony, Ronnie, Francois, Jack, Cooper, and the other young woman were rescued.”

Logan breathed a sigh of relief. “Anthony got hurt, so I was worried about him the most. I didn’t know if he even made it to a lifeboat. It was a scary time but for the most part, this nightmare is finally over.”

“It is
over
. Now, let’s get you and Lily some clothes. Unfortunately, there are many things we can control but having the press here isn’t one of them. They showed up in full-force. It’s not every day the world mourns the loss of a billionaire only to find he was stranded on a deserted island with a beautiful woman.”

Logan frowned. “The stories almost write themselves, and the truth of it is I’m not so sure they’ll be too far off the mark.”

Lily sat on the edge of the bed that only a few short hours ago she and Logan shared. Her movements were robotic, stiff and calculated, as she changed into clothes decent enough to wear out in front of prying eyes. It felt strange when the material caressed her skin. What was even stranger was the fact that Logan changed clothes in another part of the boat.

They’d been so close over the last couple of months, and in the span of just a couple of hours she’d already began to feel the space between them grow. Lily hoped it was all in her mind and that it wasn’t just her fear of losing him that was causing her feelings.
He was never really yours, Lily
.

Lily hugged herself and squeezed her eyes closed in an attempt to shut off her mind. She should be celebrating that Megan was fine, and there were no casualties from that disastrous boating experience. Everything else will work itself out. She hoped.

A gentle knock on the door brought her back to the present. “It’s open.”

Logan poked his head inside. Gone were the smoldering looks or the flirty winks. His face was a mask. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “You about ready?”

Uncertainly, her lips tremble as she smiled. “I think so.”

He reached his hand out to hers, and she took it. It was the first physical contact they’d had since arriving at the port.

As they made their way down the corridor, someone was giving out instructions, but she didn’t know who.

“Okay, make sure to surround both Logan and Lily as they descend from the boat. Those bastards can take all the pictures they want, but we won’t give them the money shot they are looking for.” He looked up from the group of men surrounding him towards Lily and Logan. “Here they are now.”

When Lily made her way over to them, there were several big burly men in the room along with Logan’s father. The man who was speaking reminded her of Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, wearing a safari-like hat and khaki shorts. He handed her a large straw hat almost identical to his and a pair of dark sunglasses. Lily turned questioning eyes to Logan.

He squeezed her hand to reassure her. “There’s a lot of media people outside waiting for us. The glasses will protect your eyes from all of the cameras flashes going off. It’ll be almost blinding without them. The hat is our attempt of trying to keep your face from being splashed all over the newspapers.”

Her voice was soft and completely trusting. “Okay.”

Logan bent and spoke into her ear. “Just hold my hand and follow me. There’s a car waiting to take us away from this madness. We can catch our breath there.”

The crocodile hunter looking dude clapped his hands. “All right, are we ready?”

Single file, they left the boat Lily holding on tightly to Logan’s hand.
It. Was. Insane
! Lily couldn’t believe the scene before her. Everything was surreal. It was worse than anything she could have ever imagined. There were so many people, and they were all pushing and shoving their circle of people. It was so bad that she could barely stand or walk. Logan held her hand even tighter as she did her best to keep up with him. Lights were flashing, people were shouting questions, and cameras were being stuck into their faces. She kept her head low, put one foot in front of the other, and just focused on Logan. It was a short walk from the port to their car, but it felt as if it were miles.

Logan never let her hand go. Once they were inside the car, she took off her glasses and so did he. Logan was worried about Lily because she’d never been in the public eye before and this was a circus. His concerned eyes connected to hers. “Are you okay?”

It was the first time since they’d left the island that he’d looked at her with such unvarnished love and concern. If she hadn’t been fine before, the look he’d given her made her feel as if she could fly. Her voice came out light as air. “Yes. I am now.”

Logan’s father had entered the car and sat back on the other side of the limo watching the exchange. After giving them just a few minutes of time, he cleared his throat. “Logan, your mother and Bree, are going to meet us at the hotel. They are both anxious to see you. I tried to get them to hold off just a bit on a reunion, but it was impossible.”

The reality of what was going on wasn’t lost on Lily. Logan had a mother and a fiancé who were probably sick with worry and more than ecstatic he was alive. She would be.

He removed his hand from hers. The tight mask he’d worn earlier returned and all the unspoken realities of their situation exploded. Lily could no longer pretend that it was just them against the world. When the car started to move, it was as if she were on her way to a funeral. She turned her head and looked out of the window willing herself not to cry at this impossible situation.

They arrived at the hotel much faster than she would have liked. The drive was made mostly in silence. This time, when they exited the car, Logan didn’t hold her hand. Her heart felt as if it were in a vise grip. Lily was grateful for the glasses. She’d put them back on before getting out of the car because they hid the tears that threatened to spill over.

As soon as they walked into the lobby of the hotel, there were more flashing lights and someone shouting at them.

“Logan!” The circle of security that surrounded them opened up. An older woman who had eyes just like his was allowed to get through, Lily could only assume it was his mother. Her face was wet with tears as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She hugged him to her fiercely as her voice broke. “It’s you. It’s really you.”

Logan returned his mother’s embrace with a hug as fierce as hers. His own voice was thick with emotion. “Yeah, it’s really me. I’m home.”

She looked up to the heavens. “Thank you, God, for bringing my son home to me!”

Lily stood by and watched unable to keep her own emotions in check. What she wouldn’t give to have her own parent’s arms wrapped around her. She almost felt like a voyeur watching the private moment between him and his mother unfold. Then, she heard it. The soft voice of another woman. It was also filled with emotion.

“Logan.”

Lily had been dreading this moment and was unsure of how she would handle it. She couldn’t breathe or move waiting and wondering what this reunion would be like.

Logan’s mother moved out of the way, and Lily was finally face to face with her, Bree Michaels. She only had eyes for Logan though and didn’t even see Lily. Bree wrapped her arms around his neck, and the moment his arms snaked around her waist, Lily didn’t think her legs would continue to support her. Mr. Tremont somehow understood the gravity of the situation and subtly moved his hand to her elbow offering quiet support just as Bree kissed Logan deeply on the lips.

Lily bit down on her bottom lip so hard she thought it would bleed. Logan’s father moved his hand to her shoulder knowing she would need more support.

After what felt like an eternity, Bree pulled away, eyes wet with tears and managed to speak. “I missed you so much. I thought you were dead.”

Lily thought his voice sounded strange when he spoke. “No, I’m ver
y much alive.” After another few moments of silence. He stepped back just a bit and turned to Lily. Logan inhaled deeply. “Mom and Bree let me introduce you to Lily Huntington. We, she and I . . .” He paused.

Lily held her breath hoping and wondering how he was going to introduce her. Was it going to be as his friend? His lover? He probably didn’t even know.

“We were stranded on the island together.”

Her voice didn’t work. Instead, she attempted a smile. The moment was awkward for everyone. It was evident from the look on his mother’s face and when Bree’s smile faltered that they understood that there was probably more to it than that.

Dr. Tremont’s booming voice rang out. “I think we should continue our reunion privately.”

Out of nowhere, the hotel manager appeared. “Yes, I have several suites set aside for everyone to gather themselves. If you would just follow me.”

They walked over to the elevators, and when the doors opened there wasn’t enough room for everyone. Half of them got on, and the other half waited to take the next elevator. Logan got on with his mother, fiancé, and a few security guards. Lily and Logan stood facing opposite each other. He in the elevator and her standing on the outside. The anguish in his eyes was clear. Just before the doors closed, Bree leaned over into his body, reached for his hand, and linked her fingers with his.

Lily was devastated.

Lily didn’t know how she was able to keep it together long enough to cry in the privacy of her own room, but she managed. Dr. Tremont was gracious enough to walk her to her door.

It was evident he was concerned. “Is there anyone I should call? You parents? Someone special?”

“Thank you but…” She decided to keep the knowledge of her parent’s death to herself. “Thank you, but I’m sure my calls would be better coming from me.”

His eyes were so warm, and he seemed hesitant to leave. “If there is anything that you need, please let me know.”

Lily did manage a shaky smile this time. She could see where Logan got his compassion from. “Thank you. I will.”

She turned to go inside her room. The moment the door closed behind her, Lily wrapped her arms around her body seeking comfort from herself but wishing they were Logan’s arms.

She blew out a long breath as she looked around the room. It was beautiful and bigger than her small apartment back in Chicago. It was split into the living quarters and a separate bedroom. Somehow the spaciousness of it all made her feel more alone than ever. Lily took off her hat as she walked over to the bedroom. She stood at the threshold of the door wishing she could have just one more night on the island.
Just one more.
The tears finally started to fall. This time, Lily didn’t try to fight them. She placed her glasses and the hat on the nightstand next to the bed. She kicked off her kitten heeled shoes and crawled into the center of the bed. Lily spent the rest of the afternoon hoping one day she would be able to put the pieces of her heart back together.

*****

Sleep was elusive, and sleeping on a bed again was going to take some getting used to. Lily hadn’t even been able to cry herself to sleep. After hours of tossing and turning, Lily got up and decided to take a shower. Even though they’d only been stranded for a couple of months, she was surprised at the things she would need to get used to again, hot water being one of them.

It was close to midnight by the time Lily came out of the shower wrapped in a fluffy white robe when there was a light tap on her door. Her heart sped up hoping it was Logan. Lily checked through the peep hole just to make sure. Hurriedly, she opened it.

She was breathless. “Logan.” He came inside, and as soon as the door closed, Lily threw her arms around his neck. “You came! I—I didn’t think I would see or hear from you tonight.”

He held her close and breathed in her scent. They just held each other, until he finally spoke. “I needed to see for myself how you were doing.”

Her face was wet with tears. “I’m fine now that you’re here.”

Logan pulled back slightly to wipe the wetness away then touched his forehead to hers. “Don’t cry.”

“I’m sorry. I just . . . I love you, Logan. I’m so afraid what we had is all I’ll ever have with you.”

Her words almost cut him in half. The pain was so intense he thought it might even be physical. “Lily.”

She looked up into his eyes only to see the same anguish as before. Her voice was low. “Can you just stay with me tonight?”

Logan swallowed deeply before shaking his head no. “Lily, I need some time to sort this out. It wouldn’t be fair to Bree or you. Bree doesn’t deserve to be hurt, and neither do you.”

Devastated, Lily looked away. “Did you tell her about us?”

“I think it was already pretty obvious, but yes.”

Lily’s voice still sounded small. “How did she take it?”

“She wasn’t happy about it.” Frustrated, Logan ran his hands through his hair. “I had to be honest. Look, none of us planned any of this. So, it’s hard for her, me, and you.” He quieted. Then, continued. “I care about you more than you could possibly know. We’ve survived the unimaginable.”

Lily couldn’t help but wonder if what he felt for her was just gratitude.

“And, Bree and I we were planning a life together before all of this happened. I just need you to give me a little time to figure this all out.”